A DOG who had survived a lucky escape is looking for a new home.

Chance, as he has been christened by his foster carers, survived being thrown from a speeding car then lived for several weeks on the central reservation of one of Britain's busiest motorways.

The lurcher, thought to be about two-years-old, suffered a serious head injury when he was thrown from the car on the A1M in County Durham.

He was seen several times on the roadside between Durham City and Chester-le-Street, but the dog evaded all attempts at capture, despite being close to starvation.

Finally, animal lover Barbara Ross, from South Shields, managed to catch him.

She said: "I had seen him several times running down the central reservation but he had always got away.

"Just before Christmas I spotted him asleep on the embankment near Washington and me and a friend, still in our business suits, managed to catch him.

"He was in an awful state, he had a big scar on his head - presumably where he had been thrown from the car.

"His mouth was bleeding because he had been eating dead hedgehogs to survive."

After a trip to the vets to treat his injuries, Chance has lived in several foster homes while waiting for a permanent home.

He has been checked over, is vaccinated, micro-chipped and house trained.

Although he needs a fair amount of exercise, he is good with people and other animals.

"He's still a bit nervous - at first he simply wouldn't get in a car. But after a few days he seems to be building his confidence and now needs a good, permanent home, where someone will be around to look after him," said Ms Ross.

Anyone interested in giving Chance a home, can telephone Ms Ross on 07974 305544 or (0191) 416 3666.